Milton Keynes Council has denied claims that they do not allow CCTV in taxis and have reinforced that they actively encourage it.

According to MK FM, following a stabbing and robbery in Greenleys on Friday July 13 and then another stabbing between Woburn Sands and Wavendon on Monday July 23, Milton Keynes Council have come out to refute some comments suggesting the council don’t allow CCTV in taxis.

Cllr Catriona Morris, Chair of the Council’s regulatory committee said: “I am very concerned about the recent alleged assaults on two taxi drivers while working in Milton Keynes. When people are serving the public they should feel safe at all times.

“I understand the latest incidents did not involve MK licensed drivers and other licensing authorities may have different views, but in MK, in vehicle CCTV, is absolutely encouraged and supported.”

Following comments on the MKFM Facebook page suggesting MK Council didn’t allow CCTV due to the privacy of customers, Morris reinforced that this wasn’t true, “Myself and other officers have regularly raised the idea to drivers and operators of installing CCTV in vehicles and I remain concerned that so few have gone down this route.

“The council strongly supports drivers in having CCTV installed within their vehicle and would encourage drivers to consider this. (CCTV is not dash cams, and we do not support a dash cam being used as CCTV)

“Our taxi policy is clear regarding CCTV and encourages it, having sought views from the trade we have not made it compulsory, but we continue to strongly encourage drivers and operators to reconsider and install CCTV.

“Any driver that wants to discuss the relevant CCTV requirements to make sure they comply with legislative requirements is welcome to contact the Taxi Licensing Service.”